![Karina Haddad walks through the woods in fall with a drip torch and shovel to conduct a prescribed burn.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20211106_BCCERFireTraining_JH_036-600x400.jpg )
Innovative Program Strives to Protect the Wildlands of the West
The first of its kind in the CSU, the interdisciplinary master's degree in wildland management is graduating students from its inaugural cohort.
![Kendall Hall is framed in the light of a sunset.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210526_CampusViews_JH_068-600x400.jpg )
CSU, Chico Recognizes 2020–21 Outstanding Faculty
These awards—among the highest at CSU, Chico—celebrate the excellence of eight phenomenal faculty.
![Portrait of Kristy Moreno](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/KMORENO2-600x400.jpg )
Art Studio Major Molds Her Own Future
With a passion for art and uniting her community, graduating senior Kristy Moreno has been awarded one of the most prestigious art fellowships in the nation to further her craft after college.
![The cover of the gratitude journal prints out of the printer.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20210310_GratitudeJournals_JH_008-600x400.jpg )
School of Social Work Shares Gifts of Gratitude with Community Partners
With support from a North Valley Community Foundation COVID-19 relief grant, the School of Social Work purchased self-care gifts for area social workers who have supported students' education during the pandemic.
![Portrait of Michelle Blake](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MichelleBlake-600x400.jpg )
5 Questions With Mountain Lion Advocate Michelle Blake
Working in legislative advocacy for the Mountain Lion Foundation, Michelle Blake ('88) wants everyone to understand the majesty of these premier predators.
![the Trinity bell tower is illuminated with the glow of early morning daylight.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200623_MorningViews_JH_232b-600x400.jpg )
Faculty Expert: Economics Professor Jacob Jennings
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the national and global economies continue to experience the fallout, economics faculty Jacob Jennings shares his concerns and optimism for recovery.
![The winners of this year's Staff Excellence Awards stand socially distanced in front of Laxson Auditorium.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/20200604_StaffExcellence_JH_016-600x400.jpg )
Staff Awards Recognize Exemplary Employees
Staff Council honors four employees for their customer service, safety dedication, Wildcat spirit, and overall awesomeness.
![Darlasia Miller smiles in a colorful MCGS grad stole and mortarboard.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/DarlasiaMiller-1.jpg )
A Force to be Reckoned With
First-generation student Darlasia Miller found her passion for activism at Chico State and strives to be a voice for underrepresented populations.
![A cartoon of a student at a computer with map of world behind him with other student faces in different countries.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/International-Wildcat-Global-Cafe-144dpi-01.jpg )
Maintaining Connections from All Corners of the World
Even though physically distanced, international students, tutors, and advisors meet via Zoom every Friday to maintain their culture of connection and practice English.
![Enrique Galvan poses at the 2019 Commencement ceremony](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Graduation-Pic-2019-768x513.jpeg )
A True Friend, Inspiration, and Leader
Genuinely kind and dedicated to his community, Enrique Galvan embodies the concept of a true friend.
![Kendall Hall with spring flowers in the foreground](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/49718068126_76efe91617_o.jpg )
Five Faculty Receive Professional Achievement Honors
Recipients of these annual awards are honored for exemplary teacher-scholar achievement at Chico State.
![A map of the United States shows South Carolina and Chico connected by a heart in each state and a swirling dotted line between the two.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cali-carolina-map-1.png )
One Year Later and 3,000 Miles Away
Savannah Anderson (English, '19) reflects on how Chico State's compassion and community in the wake of the Camp Fire are a presence in her life across the country.
![Portrait of He-Lo Ramirez near the base of a Valley Oak tree.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20190425_HeLoRamirez_JH_011-768x513.jpg )
Roots Resonate with Biology Major
Whether creating a campus native plant garden or researching how the valley oak is adapting to climate change, He-Lo Ramirez is letting his ancestry guide his future.
![Kendall Hall is flanked with colorful pink flowers and other green vegetation.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20190319_SpringDay_JB_007-768x513.jpg )
Celebrating Student Leaders
Fourteen Chico State students were honored for their exceptional student service, achievement, mentorship, and engagement.
![Portrait of Mary Gibaldi](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20190417_MaryGibaldi_JH_014-768x512.jpg )
A Stronger Sense of Space
Master’s candidate Mary Gibaldi focused her English studies on the subject of space in literary worlds while discovering her own new expression of “home.”
![The face of Kendall Hall is shown in late afternoon.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Feb-4-768x513.jpg )
12 Students Honored With Rawlins Merit Awards
The award—one of the largest and most prestigious at Chico State—celebrates scholarship, extracurricular activities, and outstanding academic and professional accomplishments.